Gluing apparatus for packaging machines



F mph 25., 1956 E J. DERDERIAN 2,764,123

GLUING APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed July 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 EDWARD J. DERflER/AN INVENTOR HUEBNER, BEEHLE/P,

WOR/PEL 8 HERZ/G ATTOR/VEVJ GLUING APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed July 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 llW/ENTO/P HUEBNER, BEEHLER,

K@ 63 WORREL 4: #5921 6 yan gm EDWARD J. DERDE/P/AN tinuously applied to the peripheries thereof. blades have been utilized to remove glue from application. :scraper blades has been difficult and such rollers have :been found to apply glue in undesirable positions. Rollers :have also been utilized having successive flats or hollows United States Patent GLUING APPARATUS FOR PACKAGiNd MACHINES Edward J. Derderian, Fresno, Calif. Application July 15, 1952, Serial No. 298,904

14 Claims. (Cl. 118-216) The present invention relates to package sealing machines and more particularly to an improved apparatus for gluing or otherwise adhesively sealing packages and cases to confine articles or bulk material therein.

Requirements for rapid and economical sealing of cases and other packages of canned goods, bottled goods, and even bulk materials, have lead to the development of numerous automatic case sealing apparatus, such as those shown and described in my United States Patents Nos. 2,579,802 and 2,579,803. The cases sealed by such apparatus are usually substantially rectangular in form, have end flaps folded inwardly over and inwardly below contents of the cases, and side flaps which are folded inwardly over the upper end flaps and inwardly below the lower end flaps where they are secured to retain the contents of the cases.

it is the usual practice to pass such cases through a sealing apparatus subsequent to the packing of contents therein. Such apparatus usually plow the side flaps to substantially horizontal outwardly extended positions, :apply glue to the side flaps, and subsequently fold the :side flaps back upon their respective end flaps for attach- :ment thereto.

It is obviously necessary dependably to retain con- :tents in such cases while the side flaps are folded outwardly, the gluing operation performed, and the side fflaps returned to sealed positions. Further, it is desirable to avoid the deposit of any glue on contents of the cases .and thus the deposit of glue on the side flaps at positions engageable with case contents is objectionable. In most :apparatus adapted to apply glue to the side flaps, effort :is made to localize the glue in those positions suited to .engagement with the end flaps and to avoid all positions .engageable with case contents.

In those apparatus adapted to apply glue to the end iflaps, effort is also made to limit glue application to :localized areas on the end flaps. The usual procedure "is to apply the glue by means of rollers in rolling engagemeat with the cases. Two systems have generally been .utilized, intended to limit glue application to desired .areas. Rollers have been mounted in positions adapted .for rolling engagement with the cases and glue con- Scraper the peripheries of the rollers to create desired intervals of glue The proper synchronous operation of such :intended to avoid case engagement and outwardly pro- :jected sectors suited to case engagement. The proper synchronization of such rollers has also been diflicult and even when proper synchronization is achieved, the application of the glue is erratic.

Not only have known case sealing apparatus minimized these difficulties with only partial success, but the frequent cleaning of the apparatus has been diflicult, time consuming, and a major operational expense. The glues employed must be removed from such sealing apparatus and the portions of the apparatus cleansed at the end of each run. This cleaning procedure on conventional apparatus normally takes an operator approximately an hour to perform and is so tedious and diflicult to accomplisfi that frequently only partial cleaning is effected and subsequent operational difficulties encountered as a result.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved package and case sealing apparatus.

Another object is to enable the automatic application of glue to predetermined areas of closable packages and the like while effectively avoiding the application of glue to other areas and to the contents thereof.

Another object is automatically to apply glue or other sealing material to cases, packages and the like in consistently uniform quantity.

Another object is to provide a package and ease sealing apparatus which is convenient and easy to clean.

Another object is to provide an improved sequential timing system for a sealing apparatus of the character described having removable glue applying means.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a package sealing apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the sealing apparatus taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of the sealing apparatus viewed from a plane whose position is indicated at 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of the apparatus, as viewed from a plane whose position is indicated at 7-7 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a somewhat enlarged vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings:

The sealing apparatus of the present invention is supported in any suitable elongated frame 10 which is shown in the drawings as having a lower portion 11 and an upper portion 12 each having spaced sides. An elongated track 13 is defined longitudinally of the frame 10 between the upper and lower portions thereof. The track has a receiving end at the left of Figs. 1 and 2 and a discharge end at the right thereof.

Cases 15, containing canned goods 16, or other articles or bulk material packed therein, are successively delivered to the receiving end of the track 13 by a delivery conveyor 17, fragmentarily represented in Figs. 1 and 2, or by any other suitable means. The cases are usually substantially rectangular in form and are delivered to the apparatus in longitudinal alignment with the track. The cases have lower end flaps 18 folded inwardly under the contents of the cases, upper end flaps 19 folded over the contents, lower side flaps 20 folded under the lower end flaps 18 and upper side flaps 21 folded over the upper end flaps 19.

Understanding of the subject sealing apparatus is facilitated by hearing in mind that the cases 15 are received by the track 13 with contents packed therein and with the side flaps 20 and 21 folded against their respective end flap-s 18 and 19 and that the apparatus successively folds the lower side flaps 20 into the downwardly extended positions and the upper side flaps 21 into upwardly extended positions, as evident in Fig. 3; holds the contents in position in the cases and the end flaps 18 and 19 in inwardly folded positions; applies glue to the end flaps while avoiding application thereof to contents of the cases; and folds the side flaps back against their respective end flaps for glued attachment thereto.

As the cases 15 are moved onto the track 13 by the delivery conveyor 1'7 they are longitudinally centered in the apparatus by a pair of sets of downwardly and inwardly sloped rollers 23 rotatably mounted in the frame 10. Not only do the rollers support the cases for travelinto the apparatus but by their inclination, evident in Figs. 1 and 2, accommodate slight downward pivotal movement of the side flaps 21. An elongated plate 24 is mounted longitudinally of the frame intermediate the rollers 23 and provides support for the lower end flaps 18 and contents of the cases. The rollers and plate constitute an initial portion of the track 13. An elongated table plate 25 constitutes a successive portion of the track and is mounted longitudinally of the frame it) in alignment with the plate 24 and at an elevation, clearly evident in Fig. 2, intermediate the plate 24 and the lower ends of the rollers 23 for insertion between the lower side flaps 2t and the lower end flaps 18. The table plate is of a width less than the width of the cases and has a forwardly disposed end shaped to facilitate downward folding movement of the side flaps 20 into the positions shown in Fig. 3 while providing support for the end flaps 20 and contents 16 of the case.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a bracket 23 is inwardly extended from each side of the upper portion 12 of the frame It) in elevationally spaced relation to the table plate 25 and on opposite sides thereof. An auxiliary frame 29 is bolted to the brackets, as at 3% and is elevationally adjustable on the brackets by means of adjustment bolts 31 screw-threadably mounted in the aux' iliary frame and downwardly extended for rested engagement on the brackets 28.

Referring in greater particularity to the details of the auxiliary frame 29, best shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 6, a pair of transverse members 32 and 33 extend between the brackets 28 above the table plate 25 and are bolted and elevationally adjustably rested on the brackets 28, as described. The forward-most transverse member has a substantially U-shaped central portion and the rearward transverse member 33 a concentrically related substantially U-shaped central portion of a width greater than that of the forward member. Plows 34 for the upper side flaps 21 are mounted on the U-shaped portion of therear'ward transverse member 33 and extended forwardly therefrom for convergence forwardly of the auxiliary frame, as shown. As successive cases 15 are moved under the auxiliary frame 29, the plows 34 fold the side flaps 21 into the positions shown in Fig. 3. A depressing plate 35 having a slightly upwardly turned forward end portion is mounted on the central portions of the transverse members 32 and 33 and serves to hold the forwardmost upper end flap 18 downwardly, as the side flaps are pivoted upwardly. A kicker 36, motivated in any suitable manner, is caused to strike the rearward upper end flap 18 as it is released by upward movement of the side flaps so that both end flaps pass under, and are held in folded position by the depressing plate 35.

Reference has been made to the movement of the cases 15 longitudinally of the track 13. The motivating structure may take many forms. I prefer to journal two pairs of aligned shafts 38 transversely in the lower portion 11 of the frame 10 adjacent to opposite ends of the track 13. For purposes of convenience, a lower shaft 39 is journaled in the frame below each of the pairs of upper shafts. Two sets of sprockets 40 are mounted on the shafts 38 and 39 with the sprockets of each set located in common substantially erect parallel planes at .the opposite sides of the track. A .motor 41 has driv ing. connection with one of the lower shafts 39, and chains 42 are mounted in circumscribing relation on the sprockets of each set. Flight bars 43 interconnect the chains transversely of the track 13 so that successive cases 15 are positioned by engagement by the flight bars longitudinally of the track onto the table plate 25 and under the depressing plate 35 and through a predetermined gluing station indicated generally at 44.

A pintle shaft 46 is mounted in the forward transverse member 32 transversely of the track 13 and a heating element 47 pivotally mounted on the pintle shaft and rested upon the rear transverse member 33. An upper glue pan 48 is rested on the heating element and provides a pair of laterally spaced semi-cylindrical bearings 49 mounted thereon and rested on the pintle shaft so that the glue pan can be elevationally pivoted upwardly from the heating element and lifted from the auxiliary frame, as desired.

The glue pan 48 is conveniently substantially rectangular in shape, as shown in Fig. 5, and has opposite sides which provide similarly shaped arcuate concave extended ends 59. The pan provides a bottom 51 which has an extended end which terminates in transverse alignment with the extended ends of the sides. A cylindrical gluing roller 52 is rotatably mounted on the extended end of the glue pan 48 in fitted engagement with the extended ends 50 of the sides and the extended end of the bottom 51.

The glue roller 52 may be of any appropriate material and is conveniently adjustably mounted by the provision of a slide bracket 54 on each side of the glue pan 48 which is slidable radially of the arcuate ends of the sides. The roller provides an axle 55 mounted in thebrackets. An ear 56 is laterally extended from the glue pan in spaced relation to each of the slide brackets. A threaded rod 57 is rigidly mounted on each slide bracket and slidably extended through the brackets respective ear. Locking nuts 53 screw threadably mounted on each of the rods on opposite sides of the cars 56 provide adjustable positioning of the glue roller radially of the arcuate extended ends of the sides. For the application of glue to the cases 15, adjustment is made for the spacing of the roller in adjacent relation to the extended ends 50 of the sides and the extended end of the bottom 51 so that the roller upon rotation continuously provides a glue-coated periphery disposed for case engagement. The viscosity of the glue utilized, of course, determines the adjustable spacing of the roller that can be tolerated and still avoid leakage of the glue downwardly past the roller. When operation is terminated, it is the usual practice to tighten the roller into fitted engagement with the extended ends of the sides and bottom to preclude the leakage of glue therefrom.

It is to be understood that the glue pan may contain any desired adhesive material suited to the purpose but the applicant prefers to use commercial forms of starch glue heated to a temperature approximately P. which is sufficient to assure desired fiowability and insuflicient to cause the glue to crystallize. The heat also expedites drying of this normally cold application glue.

A plate 60 is mounted transversely on the extended end of the glue pan 48 and provides a mounting for a goose neck member 61 rigidly connected centrally thereof and extended upwardly longitudinally of the track 13.

A transverse brace 63, or a plurality thereof if desired, is mounted in the frame 10 below the table plate 23 at the glue station 44. A lower heating element 64 is rested on the brace or braces in substantially horizontal position. A lower glue pan 65 is rested on the heating element. The glue pan 65 differs from the glue pan 48 in that it has closed opposite ends. The glue pan 65 is also provided with a pool of glue of any desired form utilized in the pan 48.

As shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 8, a lower control shaft 67 is journaled in the frame 10 forwardly adjacent to the glue pan 65 transversely of the table plate 25. A pair of arms 68 are rigidly mounted on the control shaft and ex tended upwardly and thence horizontally over the glue pan, as evident in Fig. 8. A lower gluing roller 69 is rotatably mounted in the extended ends of the arms 68 for pivotal movement to and from the pan 65. If desired,

guards 70 can be mounted on the arms and extend longitudinally of the track for purposes of maintaining the lower ls ide flaps 20 of the cases 15 in the positions shown in The lower roller 69 is peripherally grooved and a section 71 of the table plate 25 directly thereabove adapted for removal. The removable section 71 provides a plurality of bars 72 receivable by the circumscribing grooves of the roller 69. Thus, when in operable position, as shown in Fig. 8, the periphery of the roller intermediate the grooves extends upwardly between the bars 72 for casing engagement. In order to remove the glue pan 65, as for cleaning, the section 71 is removed from the table plate, and the arms 68 and roller 69 pivoted upwardly, as shown in. dashed line in Fig. 2. So pivoted, the pan is accessible through an opening left by removal of the section 71 and may be readily removed and replaced without inconveniencc.

A sprocket 74 is rotatably mounted on the lower control shaft 67. A driven sprocket 75 is mounted concentrically on the roller 69 and a drive chain 76 provided about the sprockets 74 and 75. To rotate the roller 69, a sprocketv 77 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 67 in rigid connec-- tion to the sprocket 74 and a drive sprocket 78 provided.

on the lower shaft 39 driven by the motor 41. A drive chain 79 is provided about the sprockets 77 and 78. Thus. the roller 69 is rotatably driven without interference with the pivotal mounting thereof.

A lower control cam 82 is rotatably mounted on the: frame 10 forwardly adjacent to the control shaft 67, as: evident in Fig. 2. A sector arm 83 is rigidly mounted on. the control shaft 67 and downwardly extended therefrom. adjacent to the cam 82. A control arm 84 is pivotally' mounted on the shaft 67 in engagement with the sector" arm and is angularly extended below the cam. A cam fol-- lower 85 is rotatably mounted on the extended end of the: control arm in engagement with the cam. It will be obvious that the control arm may be rigidly mounted on: the shaft but the association of the sector arm and control rm described permits adjustable gravitational support of the arms 68 and roller 69 on the cam by a kidney slot. 86 formed in the control arm through which a bolt 87 is. extended and secured to the sector arm.

The cam 82 preferably provides adjustably positionedl radially disposed crests 89, of well known form, which thefollower 85 traverses upon cam rotation. From examina-- tion of Fig. 2, it will be evident that the roller 69 can read-- ily be pivoted to protrude upwardly through the removable= :section 71 of the table plate to a glue applying position and. to retract therebelow in response to traversal by the cam. follower of a radially disposed crest 89.

The cam 82 is conveniently rotated in synchronous re-- lation to the travel of the flight bars 48 and advance-- ment of cases 15 through the gluing station, by providing a; secondary sprocket 91 rotatably mounted on the control. shaft 67 and connected to the sprockets 74 and 77 forunitary rotational movement therewith, as best shown; in Fig. 4. The control cam 82 is provided with a mounting; shaft 92 which mounts a cam drive sprocket 93 thereon in: alignment with the sprocket 91 and a chain 94 provides driven connection between said sprockets.

An upper control shaft 96, evident in Figs. 1, 2, and 6,. is rotatably mounted transversely in the upper portion 12; of the frame rearwardly of the goose neck 61. A, bifurcated arm 97 is rigidly mounted on the shaft and. extended forwardly of the track 13 and provides a support roller 98 rotatably mounted on a shaft 99 journaled. transversely in the extended end of the bifurcated arm in supporting relation to the extended end of the goose neck.

An upper cam mounting shaft 100 is rotatably mounted. in the frame in parallel relation to the upper control shaft 96 and an upper control cam 101 mounted thereon 6 externally of the frame. The upper cam, like the lower cam 82, provides adjustably positioned radially disposed crests 102. A sector arm 103 is radially extended from the shaft 96 and a control arm 104 pivotally mounted on the shaft adjacent to the sector arm and extended over the cam 101 where it rotatably mounts a cam follower 105 in gravitational cam engagement. The control arm and sector arm are adjustably connected in rigid relation as by the provision of a kidney slot 106 in the arm through which a bolt 107 is extended and tightened into the sector arm. it will be evident that the control arm gravitationally supports the bifurcated arm 97 and thus the upper glue pan 48 and roller 52 on the cam 101 so that traversal of the crests 102 elevationally positions the pan and roller to and from glue applying positions.

So that the cam 101 and the upper roller 52 may be rotated synchronously with the lower cam 82 and travel of the flight bars 48 along the track 13, a drive sprocket 108 is mounted on the cam shaft 100 adjacent to a side of the frame. The drive sprocket is rotated by a chain 109 extended thereabout and about a sprocket, not shown, driven by the motor 41. A sprocket 110 is mounted on the cam shaft 100 and a sprocket 111 mounted on the shaft 99 in alignment therewith. A chain 112 provides driving connection therebetween. A gear 117 is mounted on the shaft 99 in mesh with a gear 118 mounted on the glue roller 52. This connection assures synchronous rotation of the roller and elevational manipulation thereof incident to rotation of the cam 101. The cam shafts 92 and 100 and the glue rollers 69 and 52 are rotated at the same speed. The earns 82 and 101 rotate in the same direction at the same speed but the rollers 69 and 52 rotate in opposite directions.

Rearwardly of the gluing station 44, upper plows 120 and lower plows 121, of well known form, are mounted in the upper portion 11 and lower portion 12 of the frame, respectively, to return the side flaps 21 and 20 against their respective end flaps 19 and 18. Arcuate guide plates 122 and 123, also of well known form, are mounted so as to cooperate with the plows and hold the side flaps against their respective end flaps.

A discharge conveyor 124 having a compression conveyor 125 thereabove is mounted in the frame so as to convey the cases 15 from the apparatus while holding the side flaps in position until the glue dries.

Operation The operation of the apparatus of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. Upon energizing the motor 41, cases 15 are advanced longitudinally along the track 13 and the side flaps 20 and 21 folded outwardly as described. The glue rollers 52 and 69 are rotated in the manner previously described so that their respective peripheries travel longitudinally of the track 13 at substantially the same speed as the advancement of the cases 15 along the track by the flight bars 43. Rotation of the rollers in their respective glue pans 48 and 65 serves to coat the peripheries thereof. The viscosity of the glue employed largely de- :termines the extent of roller coating and thickness of glue :application to the cases. The heating elements 47 and :64 are optionally employed and may be electrically operzated in any suitable manner.

The crests 102 on the upper cam 101 are so adjusted that as a case 15 is drawn through the gluing station 44, the glue roller 52 is gravitationally successively lowered into engagement with the first end flap 19, raised immediately upon passage of the end flap so as to avoid distributing glue on the contents of the case, lowered into engagement with the second end flap 19 immediately upon its passage thereunder, and raised from the second end flap immediately upon its passing of the roller. The arrangement of the crests 102 determine the elevational .movement of the glue roller 52 and the adjustment of the .lbolt 107 in the kidney slot 108 the mean elevation of and apparatus.

the roller so as adjustably to accommodate cases of various thicknesses.

Similarly, the crests 89 on the cam 82 are adjusted so that the lower roller 69, and its pan 65, are successively pivoted upwardly to bring the roller into engagement with the first end flap 18 immediately upon arrival thereover of the end flap, to lower the roller below the removable section 71 of the table plate upon passage of said first end flap, to raise the roller into engagement with the second end flap 18 immediately upon its arrival at the roller, and again to lower the roller below the removable section 71 upon said end flaps passing of the roller.

Inasmuch as the rollers 52 and 69 are continuously coated with glue, their reciprocal movement to and from the end flaps applies glue thereto for sealing purposes in patterns accurately controlled by the cams 4'12, and 361.

As soon as the upper and lower end flaps i9 and 18 have had glue applied thereto by the rollers 52 and :59, the side flaps 21 are returned against their respective end flaps and compressed thereagainst until the glue has dried or cooled sufficiently to assure dependable sealing.

To clean the upper glue pan 48, the goose neck 61 is lifted from the roller 98 and the semi-cylindrical bearings 49 lifted from the pintle shaft 46. In this manner, the pan and its roller 52 can be withdrawn from the apparatus for cleaning or repair and returned to position without any disconnecting operation.

To clean or repair the lower glue pan 65, the removable section 71 of the table plate is lifted from position and the arms 68 and roller 69 pivoted upwardly into the position shown in dashed line in Fig. 2. Such pivotal positioning simply withdraws the cam follower 85 from cam engagement and no disconnecting is required for the purpose. The glue pan 65 is then simply lifted from the apparatus and returned at will.

The device of the present invention has successfully solved the problems incident to cleaning glue pans and application rollers in case sealing apparatus. The de scribed systems for moving the rollers to and from case engagement, assures dependable application of glue and avoidsthe application of glue to unwanted portions of the cases or contents thereof with dependable precision. In extensive operation, the apparatus has proved dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in whatis conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gluing apparatus for substantially rectangular packages having contents therein and providing upper and lower outer side flaps and upper and lower inner end flaps wherein the end flaps have been folded inwardly against the contents and the side flaps folded outwardly t for access to the end flaps comprising a conveyor track adapted to receive the packages for travel therealong having a predetermined gluing station, side frames on opposite sides of the track, driven means engageable with the packages to advance the packages successively along the track through the gluing station, a removable glue pan gravitationally rested between the side frames below the track at the gluing station, a lower gluing roller pivotally mounted between the side frames for movement between a position in the glue pan, a position relatively upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended above the track for rolling engagement against articles advanced therealong, and a further upwardly pivoted'position above the track accommodating removal of the pan, an auxiliary frame rested on the side frames 8 above the track, an upper glue pan releasably pivotally mounted in the auxiliary frame having a concave extended end, an upper roller fitted to the concave extended end of the upper glue pan, means mounting the upper roller transversely of the track on the upper glue pan in adjustably spaced relation to the extended end thereof, means having driven connection to the package advancing means gravitationally supporting the extended end of the upper pan and the upper roller and elevationally reciprocating the upper roller to and from package engagement syn chronously with advancement of packages along the track, and means having driven connection to the package advancing means gravitationally supporting the lower roller and elevationally reciprocating said roller to and from age engagement synchronously with advancement the packages along the track.

2. A gluing apparatus for substantially rectangular packages having contents therein and providing inner end flaps folded inwardly against the contents and side flaps adapted to overlay the end flaps pivoted outwardly therefrom comprising a conveyor track adapted to receive the packages for travel therealong having a predetermined gluing station at which the track is interrupted, a removable track section having a plurality of laterally spaced elongated parallel bars fitted into the track at the gluingtstation with the bars longitudinally aligned with the track and having upper surfaces continuous with an upper surface of the track, side frames on opposite sides of the track, driven means engageable with the packages to advance the longitudinally successively along the track over the removable section, a heating element mounted beneath the removable track section, a gluing pan'rested on the heating element between the side frames beneath the removable track section, a lower control shaft journaled transversely in the side frames beneath the track, a pair of arm rigidly extended from the lower shaft longitudinally of the track intermediate the track and the lower pan, a substantially cylindrical lower gluing roller rotatably mounted between the arms for movement between a position in the pan and a position pivoted upwardly above the track, the circumscribing grooves being adapted to receive the bars of the track section therein, an auxiliary frame rested on the side frames having a depressing plate disposed in substantially parallel elevationally spaced relation to the track section, a pintle shaft mounted in the auxiliary frame transversely of the track, a heating element pivotally mounted on the pintle shaft having a substantially horizontal rest position, an upper glue pan having semicylindrical ears rested on the pintle shaft pivotally movable about the shaft and rested on the upper heating element, the upper glue pan having an extended end, an upper gluing roller rotatably mounted on the upper glue pan in adj-notably spaced relation to the extended end thereof endwardly adjacent to the upper heating element and depressing plate, said roller having a periphery disposed below the depressing plate in elevationally spaced relation to the track section, said extended end of the glue pan being fitted to the upper roller, an upper control shaft journaled transversely in the side frames above the track, a control linkage releasably interconnecting the upper shaft and the pan whereby rotational positioning of the shaft pivotally positions the upper pan in the auxiliary frame, a lower control cam rotatably mounted on a side frame adjacent to the lower shaft, an upper control cam rotatably mounted on a side frame adjacent to the upper shaft, means for rotating the control cams synchronously with advancement of successive packages through the gluing station, and upper and lower arms extended from the upper and lower sharts respectively engaged withthc upper and lower cams gravitationally supporting the extended end of the upper glue pan and roller and lower roller respectively on their cams, said cams providing relatively high and low dwells whereby the gluing rollers are supported in rolling engagement with the end flaps of packages advanced through the gluing station and retracted intermediate the end flaps of each package and intermediate each package.

3. In a packaging machine having a support frame, a track extended through the frame, and means for advancing packages successively along the track, the combination of an auxiliary frame rested in the support frame having a depressing plate disposed in substantially parallel elevationally spaced relation to the track, a pintle shaft extended substantially horizontally through the auxiliary frame transversely of the track, a heating element pivotally mounted on the pintle shatt and having a substantially horizontal rest position on the auxiliary frame, a glue pan rested on the heating element and having a pair of downwardly disposed semi-cylindrical bearings rested on the pintle shaft and pivotally mounting the pan on the pintle shaft, the glue pan having an extended end providing a substantially horizontal bottom and concave endwardly extended sides, a glue applying roller fitted to the concave sides of the pan and bottom transversely of the track, means mounting the roller on the pan in adjustably spaced adjacent relation to the extended end thereof, a gooseneck rigidly mounted on the pan and extended therefrom over the roller, a control shaft mounted in the frame transversely of the track endwardly adjacent to the gooseneck, a lift arm laterally extended from the shaft beneath the gooseneck in supporting relation to the gooseneck and extended end of the pan and gluing roller, a cam mounted 011 the support frame adjacent to the shaft, a control arm extended from the shaft gravitationally supporting the lift arm, roller, gooseneck, extended end of the pan and gluing roller on the cam, and means having driven connection to the article advancing means rotating the cam synchronously with advancement of packages along the track.

4. A gluing apparatus for substantially rectangular packages having contents therein and providing upper and lower outer side flaps and upper and lower inner end flaps wherein the end flaps have been folded inwardly against the contents and the side flaps folded outwardly for access to the end flaps comprising a frame, a conveyor track in the frame adapted to receive the packages for travel therealong and having a predetermined gluing station, driven means engageable with the packages to advance the packages successively along the track through the gluing station, a removable glue pan gravitationally rested in the frame below the track at the gluing station, a lower gluing roller pivotally mount-ed between the frame for movement between a position in the glue pan, a position relatively upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended above the track for rolling engagement against articles advanced therealong with the axis of theroller transversely of the track, and a turther upwardly pivoted position above the track accommodating removal of the pan, an auxiliary frame supported on the frame above the track, an upper glue pan releasably pivotally mounted in the auxiliary frame having a concave extended end, an upper roller fitted to the concave extended end of the upper glue pan, means mounting the upper roller transversely of the track on the upper glue pan in adjustably spaced relation to the extended end thereof, means elevationally reciprocating the extended end of the pan and the upper roller mounted thereon to and from package engagement synchronously with advancement of packages along the track, and means elevationally reciprocating the lower roller to and from package engagement synchronously with advancement of the packages along the track.

5. In a gluing apparatus for packages having a conveyor track adapted to receive the packages for travel therealong through a predetermined gluing station, and means for advancing packages successively along the track through the gluing station; the combination of a removable glue pan, means gravitationally supporting the glue pan below the track at the gluing station, a gluing roller, means pivotally mounting the gluing roller for movement between a position in the pan, a position relatively'upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended above the track for rolling engagement against packages advanced therealong, and a further upwardly pivoted position above the track accommodating removal of the pan, and means actuated synchronously with the package advancing means elevationally reciprocating the roller to and from engagement with packages advanced through the gluing station.

6. In a gluing apparatus, the combination of a glue pan adapted to receive glue and having an open concave extended end, a glue applying roller fitted to the open concave extended end of the glue pan, means mounting the roller on the glue pan in adjustable spaced relation to the extended end thereof for rolling engagement with surfaces to which glue is to be applied, a semi-cylindrical bearing having a downwardly disposed opening,

mounted on the pan at one side of the combined center of gravity of the pan and roller gravitationally rested in the apparatus and supporting the pan at its positions of' mounting thereon for free removal from the apparatus by lifting therefrom and for pivotal movement of the pan and roller thereabout, a rotated cam mounted in the apparatus, and means mounted on the pan at the side thereof opposite to the combined center of balance of the pan and roller gravitationally supported on the cam whereby the roller is raised and lowered between retracted and glue-applying positions by cam rotation, the means gravitationally rested on the cam being freely removable from the apparatus together with the roller; pan and bearings by lifting from the apparatus.

7. A gluing apparatus for packages comprising a con veyor track adapted to receive the packages for travel therealong and having a predetermined gluing station, side frames on opposite sides of the track, driven means engageable with the packages to advance the packages successively along the track to the gluing station, a re movable glue pan gravitationally rested between the side frames below the track at the gluing station, a gluing roller pivotally mounted by the side frames for movement between a position in the pan, a position relatively upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended above the track for rolling engagement against packages advanced therealong, and a further upwardly pivoted position above the track accommodating removal of the pan, and means having connection to the package advancing means gravitationally supporting the roller and elevationally reciprocating said roller to and from package engagement synchronously with advancement of the packages along the track.

8. A gluing apparatus for packages comprising a conveyor track adapted to receive packages for travel there-- along and having a predetermined gluing station, side frames on opposite sides of the track, driven means engageable with the packages to advance the packages successively along the track through the gluing station, an auxiliary frame rested on the side frames: above the track at the gluing station and freely removable there from, a pintle shaft mounted in the frame transversely of the track, an elongated glue pan having opposite end portions, axially aligned semi-cylindrical bearings mounted on an end portion of the glue pan and rested on the pintle shaft, a substantially horizontal roller mounted on the glue pan adapted to receive glue from the pan, and means having driven connection to the package advancing means gravitationally supporting the extended and of the pan and roller for free removal thereof from the apparatus and elevationally reciprocating the roller to and from package engagement synchronously with advancement of packages along the track.

9. In a gluing apparatus for packages having means for conveying packages along a predetermined path through a gluing station; the combination of a glue pan mounted below the path of package travel, a gluing roller, means pivotally mounting the gluing roller axially transversely 11 a we of the path for movement between a position in the pan, a position relatively upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended into the path of package travel for rolling engagement against packages advanced therealong, and a further upwardly pivoted position accommodating access to the pan from the path, and means actuated synchronously with package advancement along the path elevationally reciprocating the roller to and from engagement with packages advanced through the gluing station.

10. In a gluing apparatus for packages having a conveyor track adapted to receive the packages for travel therealong through a predetermined gluing station, and means for advancing packages successively along the track through the gluing station; the combination of a glue pan having opposite end portions, axially aligned semi-cylindrical bearings having downwardly disposed openings mounted on an end portion of the pan and gravitationally rested in the apparatus for pivotal movement of the pan thereabout and for free removal of the pan from the apparatus, a gluing roller mounted on the end portion of the glue pan opposite to the bearings adapted to be supplied with glue from the pan and disposed for rolling engagement with packages advanced along the track, and means actuated synchronously with the package advancing means having the roller and the end portion of the pan opposite to the bearings rested thereon pivoting the pan and elevationally reciprocating the roller to and from engagement with packages advanced along the track through the gluing station, said pan and roller being freely removable from the pan pivoting means.

11. In a package machine having a frame, a track extended through the frame, and means for advancing packages successively along the track, the combination of a pintle shaft mounted in a substantial horizontal position in the frame transversely of the track, a glue pan, a semi-cylindrical bearing means having downwardly disposed openings mounted on the glue pan and rested on the pintle shaft and pivotally mounting the pan on the pintle shaft for free removal therefrom, a glue applying roller mounted on the glue pan for pivotal movement integrally therewith adapted to receive glue from the pan and to apply the glue to packages advanced along the track, a gooseneck rigidly mounted on the pan and extended therefrom over the roller, a control shaft mounted in the frame transversely of the track endwardly adjacent to the gooseneck, a lift arm laterally extended from the shaft beneath the gooseneck having the gooseneck gravitationally rested thereon in supporting relation to the pan and the gluing roller, a cam mounted on the support frame adjacent to the shaft, a control arm extended from the shaft gravitationally supporting the lift arm, roller, gooseneck, extended end of the pan and roller on the cam, and means having driven connection to the article advancing means rotating the cam synchronously with the advancement of packages along the track.

12. A gluing apparatus for packages comprising a frame, a conveyor track in the frame adapted to receive packages for travel therealong and having a predetermined gluing station, driven means engageable with the packages to advance the packages successively along the track through the gluing station, a removable glue pan gravitationally rested in the frame below the track at the gluing station, a lower gluing roller pivotally mounted in the frame transversely of the track for movement between a position in the glue pan, a position relatively upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended above the track for rolling engagement against packages advanced therealong, and a further upwardly pivoted position above the track accommodating removal of the pan, an upper glue pan releasably pivotally mounted in the frame above the track at the glue station and having an extended end, an upper roller mounted on the upper pan transversely of the track for pivotal movement therewith adapted to receive glue from the upper glue pan,

e 12 means elevationally reciprocating the extended end of the upper pan and the upper roller mounted thereon to and from package engagement synchronously with advancement of packages along the track, and means elevationally reciprocating the lower roller to and from pack-' age engagement synchronously with advancement of packages along the track.

13. A gluing apparatus for substantially rectangular packages having contents therein and providing inner end flaps folded inwardly against the contents and side flaps adapted to overlay the end flaps pivoted outwardly therefrom comprising a conveyor track adapted to recive the packages for travel therealong having a predetermined glulng station at which the track is interrupted, a removable track section having a plurality of laterally spaced elongated parallel bars fitted into the track at the gluing station with the bars longitudinally aligned with the track and having upper surfaces continuous with an upper surface of the track, side frames on opposite sides of the track, driven means engageable withthe packages to advance the same longitudinally successively along the track over the removable section, a gluing pan supported between the side frames beneath the removable track sec tion, a lower control shaft journaled transversely in the side frames beneath the track, a pair of arms rigidly extended from the lower shaft longitudinally of the track intermeditate the track and the lower pan, a substantially cylindrical lower gluing roller rotatably mounted between the arms for movement between a position in the pan and a position pivoted upwardly above the track, the circumscribing grooves being adapted to receive the bars of the track section therein, an auxiliary frame rested on the side frames having a depressing plate disposed in substantially parallel elevationally spaced relation to the track section, a pintle shaft mounted in the auxiliary frame transversely of the track, an upper glue pan having semicylindrical ears rested on the pintle shaft pivotally movable about the shaft, the upper glue pan having an ex tended end, an upper gluing roller rotatably mounted on the upper glue pan in adjustably spaced relation to the extended end thereof, said roller having a periphery disposed below the de ressing plate in elevationally spaced relation to the track section, said extended end of the glue pan being fitted to the upper roller, an upper control shaft journaled transversely in the side frames above the track,

a control linkage releasably interconnecting the upper shaft and the pan whereby rotational positioning of the shaft pivotally positions the upper pan in the auxiliary frame, a lower control cam rotatably mounted on a side frame adjacent to the lower shaft, an upper control cam rotatably mounted on a side frame adjacent to the upper shaft, means for rotating the control cams synchronously with advancement of successive packages through the gluing station, and upper and lower arms extended from the upper and lower shafts respectively engaged with the upper and lower cams gravitationally supporting the extended end of the upper glue pan and roller and lower respectively on their cams, said cams providing relatively high and low dwells whereby the gluing rollers are supported in rolling engagement with the end flaps of packages advanced through the gluing station and retracted intermediate the end flaps of each package and intermediate each package.

14. A gluing apparauts for packages comprising a frame, means adapted to convey packages along a predetermined path of travel through the frame, the path extending through a predetermined gluing station, a removable glue pan gravitationally rested in the frame below the pan at the gluing station, a lower gluing roller disposed transversely of the pan, means mounting the gluing roller for movement between a position in the glue pan, a position relatively upwardly therefrom with a portion of its periphery extended above the pan for rolling engagement against packages advanced therealong, and a further elevated position above the pan accommodating 13 removal of the pan, an upper glue pan releasably mounted in the frame above the track at the glue station for reciprocal elevational movement, an upper roller mounted on the upper pan transversely of the track for reciprocal movement with said pan adapted to receive glue from the upper glue pan, means elevationally reciprocating the upper pan and the upper roller mounted thereon to and from package engagement synchronously With advancement of packages along the path, and means elevationally reciprocating the lower roller to and from package errgagement synchronously with advancement of packages along the track.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Derderian Dec. 25; 1951 

